By MARK HALL
Feeding Team Feature
This month’s column is about a neighbor Lisa and I met while loading the pantry at the Hamilton County Fire Fighters Local 4416 on South 14th Street.
We have been doing food charity service work for over 16 years in inner-city Indianapolis with Shepherd Community Center before launching Feeding Team a few years ago. Over all the years and all the neighbors, we never encountered a story or situation quite like Pamela’s (not her real name).
Pam lives in Noblesville. She works locally in fast food and often works extra shifts to make overtime income. We met Pam on a Friday in the early afternoon as she was shopping for a meal she would have for dinner later that evening. We do not engage with neighbors at a pantry unless they want to talk, and that was clearly the case here as Pam explained her story. You see, she has just completed a transplant surgery where she was the recipient. Pam explained that because of her worsening health condition she was unable to work and as a result did not have food. Pam was embarrassed that she needed help but grateful to the community for providing it. The anonymity of getting food from one of the pantries made her comfortable in doing so.
What makes Pam’s story so unique was that she was on her way to her very first shift at the restaurant after her transplant. Pam was wearing the restaurant uniform as she stopped by to get food for after work. Pam explained that her surgery was about a week prior, and she couldn’t afford to wait and heal before going back to work. She had no choice but to risk it. The food in the pantry was a short-term stopgap to get her by until her paychecks started again.
Over the years, we have had the opportunity to serve countless neighbors in need. Pam stands out – she was determined to be self-sufficient. She knew her situation was very tough, unfair, and yet she met it head on with a determined focus and a smile. As is the case with a vast majority of neighbors who use the pantries, we have no idea how Pam’s story has progressed, and we are okay with that. It is none of our business. It is rewarding to be a small part of a neighbor’s life.
Your donations, along with funding from corporate partners, makes small miracles like Pam’s possible. Without the dedicated efforts of so many volunteers, donors, and friends of Feeding Team this would not be happening all over Hamilton County every week.
With over 27,000 food-challenged neighbors in Hamilton County, FeedingTeam.org provides outdoor 24/7/365 no-questions-asked free food pantries throughout Hamilton County.
Neighbors ask, “Why do this? What’s in it for you?” The answer is always the same: Serving people feeds my soul. It is a calling, not work.
When criticized or questioned, I encourage people to learn my story before assuming anything. There were many suppers when we as a young couple with young kids could only afford Dinty Moore beef stew and a potato for dinner. Surreal moment. This is why the pantries exist. As a typical young family, we could not always make ends meet.
Thank you for embracing the pantries. We love serving with so many neighbors across Hamilton County.
In future columns we will share more stories from neighbors about how your generosity served them in times of need. Be assured that the face of hunger in Hamilton County is not what you may think.
In practical terms, this straightforward way to help neighbors is having real impact on lives, families, and our communities. Thank you. A few meals can change the course of a person’s life. A can of green beans means so much more when you have nothing to feed your kids. Would you like to get involved? We are in the process of evaluating our next 10 pantry locations. If you think you have a potential location, please contact us.
Mark and Lisa Hall are the Founders of Feeding Team. They may be reached at lisa@feedingteam.org and mark@feedingteam.org or by calling (317) 832-1104.